Can-opener.



C.E.DODDf CAN OPENER. I APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, I915.

1,164,793. Patented Dec. 2 1915. I

sition of the opener after a cut is OHARLES'E. DODD, OF WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA CAN-OPENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

Application filed May 13, 1915. Serial N 0. 27,891.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. Donn, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVilliamsport, in the county of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

Mv invention relates to an improvement in can-openers, and the object is to provide a simple device of the character specified, in which the blade which cuts the-tin has a full sweep practically throughout its length, and the opener is fulcrumed through a sharp edge on the upper edge of the can to prevent slipping.

The invention consists in a blade having a sharpened outer edge with a general curve, a shield held adjacent to the blade with a sharpened lower ed e adapted to rest on the edge of the can, an certain detailswhereby the shield is held-upon the blade and between the blade and handle.

In the accompanying drawings:Figure 1 is a view in 'perspective.; Fi 2 is a view in side elevation partly in section and showing the first position of the can-opener; Fig. 3 is a similar view showing another ploart y completed; Fig. 4 is a view of the s ield; Fig. 5 shows the blade and tang with the shield on the tang before entering the notch; Fig. 6 shows it in the notch preparatory to ,being swung over the shoulder; Fig. 7 shows the can opener in position cutting off the top of the can; and Fig. 8 is a slightly modified construction.

The numeral 1 represents the blade, which has a general curve at its cutting edge 2, tapering down to a point 3, which is sharp and facilitates making the first puncture in the can.

The numeral 4 indicates a heel, which limits the insertion of the blade in the can, as shown in Fig. 2, when the initial puncture is made, thus preventing the blade from being inserted unnecessarily far.

- The tang 5 is adapted to be inserted into the handle 6 in the usual way, and the lower edge of this tang is provided with a notch 7, and the upper edge with a shoulder 8.

The shield 9 has a slot 10 of a length corresponding to the thickness between the inner end of the notch 7 and the outer end of the shoulder 8, -as shown in Fig. 2, so that'the slot fits this portion snugly.

The lower edge of the shield is bent forwardly, as at 11, and is sharp at its extreme edge, asat 12, by which it engages the edges of the can and is prevented from shpping, as the can opener is fulcrumed in pressing the hand downwardly and in the upward cutting action of the blade 1.

By reason of the notch 7 and shoulder 8, and the fitting of the slot 10 in shield 9 in and around these parts, the pressure of the shield is in the notch 7 and on the projection 13 above the shoulder 8, thus taking it from the end of the handle, so that all the handle does is to increase the length of the tang 5, and afford a grip forthe operator, and a sufiicient leverage to make it convenient to 0 rate the tool..

The shield mlght be slightly modified, as

shown in Fig. 5, in which instance it is folded over or doubled, thus presenting a second edge 14 Which follows the edge 12 to form another fulcrum toward the end of the cut, thus taking some of the pressure from the sharp edge 12. In Figs. 5 and 6, the shield 9 is shown in two different positions of assembly. In Fig. 5, it is nearly on the tang before it reaches the notch 7, whereas in Fig. 6 it has been placed in the notch 7, but not yet swung over the shoulder 8 or against the shoulder 131 Asexplained, so far as the pressure on the handle 6, that ismerely to afford a grip and the required leverage, but'the pressure upon the sharpened edge of the shield only causes the upper end to press the more firmly against the shoulder 13, and the lower end against the rear of the notch 7, so that all strain is between the shield and the notch and shoulder.

With this can opener, it is possible to make a clean cut close to the very edge of the can, thus avoiding the usual jagged edge, and this is partly due to the shape of the cutting edge 2, although the handle-of the blade has much to do with it, and the special construction of shield with its bearing at 12 upon the edge of the can, and the tang made in one piece, the blade having a general curve at one. edge which is sharpened and a shoulder ad acent thereto pro videdwithna heel at the-opposite edge and havinga notch back of the heel, said heel adapted to limit the extent to which the 15 I blade is inserted, and a detachable shield having a slot whereby to receive the tang and have one edge enter the notch and theother rest upon the shoulder, and a handle which holds the shield between itselfand the 20 shoulder and heel of the blade.

In testimony whereof I affi; my signature.

CHARLES E. DODD..-

Copies of this patent may be olitained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of iatents.

7 1 Washington, D. C. 

